See our tips on ways to travel responsibly in El Dorado County.
Update December 15, 2021 – California Department of Public Health issues a mask mandate effective through January 15, 2022.
December 15, 2021 – Due to a recent increase in cases, the California Department of Public Health has mandated that everyone in California wear a mask in indoor public spaces and workplaces. The order is in effect from December 15, 2021, to January 15, 2022.
Update April 6, 2021 – El Dorado County to move into Orange Tier April 7.
Starting April 7, El Dorado County will move into the Orange tier. At that time:
- Wineries: Open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
- Restaurants: Open indoors at 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
- Museums: Open indoors at 50% capacity
- Bars (where no meals provided): Open outdoors ONLY
- Family Entertainment Centers: Open indoors at 25% capacity
- Fitness Centers: Open indoors at 25% of capacity
- Places of Worship: Open indoors at 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer
- Movie Theaters: Open at 50% capacity
See more information on business operations at covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.
Update March 2, 2021 – El Dorado County to move into Red Tier March 3.
Starting March 3, El Dorado County will move into the Red tier. At that time:
- Indoor dining will be allowed at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less
- Gyms can open at 10% capacity
- Movie theaters can reopen at 25% capacity
- Retail can reopen at 50% capacity
- Museums can reopen at 25% capacity
See more information on business operations at covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy.
PRESS RELEASE (PDF): COVID19 County Moves to Red Tier
Update January 12, 2021 – The Greater Sacramento Region, of which El Dorado County is a part, was granted authority by the State to exit the Regional Stay At Home Order, effective immediately.
The Limited Stay At Home Order placing a 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew on individuals remains in effect until all regions exit the Regional Stay At Home Order.
Restaurants can now operate outdoors, hair salons, barbershops and personal care services can operate indoors with modifications, places of worship can hold services outdoors, wineries can operate outdoors with modifications, and bars, breweries and distilleries can operate outdoors if they serve food. See more at https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.
Update December 9, 2020 – At noon today, the Governor of California announced that the Greater Sacramento Region – including the El Dorado County – has fallen under the 15% threshold for ICU availability.
Due to this change and pursuant to the Regional Stay Home Order; effective 12 AM on December 11, El Dorado County will enter into further restrictions outlined below:
Under the order, the following sectors are allowed to remain open with safety precautions:
- Critical infrastructure (when a remote option is not possible)
- Schools
- Non-urgent medical and dental care
- Childcare and pre-K
The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
- Outdoor recreational facilities (including outdoor gyms and fitness): Allow outdoor operation only for the purpose of facilitating physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise, without any food, drink, or alcohol sales. Playgrounds may remain open. Overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
- Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity, and 35% of capacity for standalone grocery stores, with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Shopping centers: Allow indoor access at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Hotels and lodging: Allow for COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures, treatment measures, provide accommodation for essential workers, or providing housing solutions – including measures to protect homeless populations.
- Restaurants: Allow only for take-out or delivery. No outside dining is allowed.
- Offices: Allow remote work only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.
- Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor activities only.
- Entertainment production: Industries, studios, and other related establishments such as those that provide content for professional broadcasting can operate without live audiences.
Under the order, all operations in the following sectors must be fully closed (except to the extent that their operations fall within critical infrastructure):
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Personal care services
- Museums, zoos, and aquariums
- Movie theaters (except drive-in)
- Wineries, bars, breweries, and distilleries
- Family entertainment centers
- Cardrooms and satellite wagering
- Limited services (i.e., laundromats, auto repair shops, car washes, etc.)
- Live audience sports
- Amusement parks
Under the Regional Stay at Home Order, Californians are prohibited from private gatherings of any size and require 100% masking and physical distancing in all others.
How long with this last?
This order will remain in effect for a minimum of 3 weeks, regardless of ICU availability. After that period, the order will be lifted when the region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. Each county in the region will then be assigned to a tier based on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and the rules of the Blueprint will apply again.
Update November 18, 2020 – El Dorado County is now in the most restrictive Purple tier.
Under the Purple Tier, many local businesses will need to modify their operations, including restaurants, wineries, and fitness centers moving their service outdoors only and retail stores reducing occupancy to 25%.
For more information on the Tiers and Industry-Specific Guidance for various business sectors, please see the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy here.
November 13, 2020 – California Issues Travel Advisory for Non-Essential Travel
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a travel advisory for non-essential travel due to a spike in COVID-19 cases statewide. People arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival and limit interactions to the immediate household. Californians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Read the CDPH Non-Essential Travel Advisory for details.
Update November 10, 2020 – El Dorado County is making the case to remain at the orange tier
For now, El Dorado County remains in the orange tier until it hears from the State no later than Tuesday, November 17, 2020.
PR 20-65 COVID-19 Red Tier Adjudication Statement.pdf
Update September 22, 2020 – El Dorado County is currently at a less restrictive orange tier
It means that now dine-in restaurants are open for indoor dining at either a maximum 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer. See what is open.
PR 20-57 EDC Moves to Orange COVID tier.pdf
What is open in the Orange tier.pdf
Update August 31, 2020 – El Dorado County is currently at a moderate level. Some indoor business operations are open with modifications.
To find out what this means to your business visit the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.
Update August 20, 2020 – See the COVID-related protocol for agriculture’s upcoming harvest season
El Dorado County officials today provided a document to agricultural businesses that outlines precautions and protocols they can follow to ensure their operations are safe in light of the COVID-19 pandemic when they open for the 2020 harvest season.
“The instructions allow El Dorado County growers, including those in the popular Apple Hill area, to provide their high-quality agriculture products and uniquely, locally produced handicrafts while discouraging activities that are considered risky for COVID-19 transmission,” said Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy
Williams.
See press release | See guidelines
Update as of July 13, 2020 – The governor has stated that El Dorado County must close indoor operations at the following locations:
- Dine-in restaurants
- Wineries and tasting rooms
- Movie theaters
- Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, and arcades)
- Zoos and museums
- Cardrooms
In addition, bars, brewpubs, breweries, and pubs must close all operations, indoor and outdoor.
See more at the State of California’s website.
July 10, 2020 – Free, mobile, once-a-week testing site in Placerville starting July 14, 2020
MA 20-43 COVID19 mobile testing site.pdf
June 4, 2020 – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released information on Stage 3 guidance with a recommended effective date of June 12.
The guidance listed below covers 11 sectors and outlines the requirements for reopening, some in all counties, and some limited to variance counties only. A variance county may choose to move forward with any or all of the posted guidance based on local data and conditions.
All guidance can be viewed here. Links to the specific guidance for each sector are listed below. Asterisks * indicate a sector that can only open in a county with a variance.
- Interim Guidance on Schools and School-Based Programs
- Restaurants, Bars and Wineries*
- Fitness centers and gyms (including pools)*
- Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Outdoor Recreation (including pools)*
- Hotels, Lodging, and Short Term Rentals
- Day Camps (excludes children’s active sport day camps and overnight camps)
- Card Rooms, Satellite Wagering Facilities, and Racetracks (specific guidance for tribal casino-based gaming)*
- Film, TV, and Music Production (must follow Office Workspace Guidance)
- Professional Sports Without a Live Audience (must follow Office Workspace and Retail Guidance)
- Family Entertainment Centers (includes bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, and arcades)*
- Zoos, Museums, Galleries, and Aquariums*
Please also note that this tranche of guidance may come at various times with various implementation dates as well. The state is considering modifications to the statewide order prohibiting nonessential travel and acknowledged that counties, businesses, and the public require more information and clarity about travel and freedom of movement.
El Dorado County Western Slope Small Business Fund
Applications are now open for the Small Business Relief Fund created by El Dorado County, El Dorado Hills Chambers of Commerce, and the El Dorado Community Foundation. This Western Slope-focused Small Business Fund allows grants up to $1,000 to pay unpaid invoices. Learn more and apply for assistance.
May 13, 2020 – El Dorado County Gets Variance from State to Start Dine-In Service at Restaurants, In-Store Retail
The businesses and industries that may open in El Dorado County immediately upon having implemented their safety plans include the below. Answers to commonly asked questions can be found at the El Dorado County COVID-19 State 2 FAQ page.
- Dine-in restaurants
- Limited services (laundromats, dry cleaners, other laundry services, auto repair shops, car washes, landscapers, pet grooming, and dog walking)
- Outdoor museums
- Shopping centers & all in-store retail
- All office-based workplaces
- All manufacturing industries supporting retail
- All logistics industries supporting retail
EDC COVID-19 Testing Now Available for Utility, Grocery, Food Supply, and Public Employee Workers.
Process is APPOINTMENT ONLY
Registration opens on May 2nd at 1 pm.
Register for an appointment at https://lhi.care/
For those without internet access, call 888-634-1123
April 30, 2020 – El Dorado County Extends Travel Ban into County Portion of Lake Tahoe
See Press Release / Order / FAQ – County Directive Expiration, Travel to Lake Tahoe, Essential vs. Nonessential, Reopening El Dorado County
April 4, 2020 – El Dorado Transit is temporarily going Fare-Free starting Saturday, April 4, 2020 until further notice to decrease the financial burden on our passengers, and to reduce direct contact through the exchange of fare collection and processing to adhere social distancing recommendations for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Learn more here.
April 3, 2020 – El Dorado County Issues Order to Stop Non-Essential Travel to South Lake Tahoe
In response to the swell of non-fulltime residents traveling to Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams issued a no-travel Order to reduce the number of visitors and other non-fulltime residents in the basin.
“Visitors whom we enthusiastically welcome during normal times are further impacting an already decreased availability of essential supplies and food, and putting the entire Lake Tahoe population at greater risk of being able to receive proper health care,” Williams said.
“It’s time to take this very strong message to those who are not already residing in South Lake Tahoe: if you have no essential function and you are here, please go home; if you have no essential function and you are not here, please stay home.”
March 24, 2020 – El Dorado County Issues Directive Clarifying Restriction of Short-Term Rentals to Reduce the Spread of the COVID-19 Virus
See Directive / See Press Release
On March 24, 2020, El Dorado County’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams, issued a directive that clarifies Governor Newsom’s March 18th “Stay At Home” Order as it relates to short-term lodging, defined as a period of less than 30 days at facilities including hotels, motels, condominiums, campgrounds, other units.
The Directive states that staying in a short-term for recreation, tourism or as a location other than one’s residence to “shelter in place” is not considered an essential activity and Californians are in violation of the Governor’s Order and Public Health Officer’s earlier Directive if they do so.
March 19, 2020 – El Dorado County Issues Shelter in Place Directive
See Directive / See Press Release
On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a Stay at Home order for Californians.
See Governor’s Order and Additional Information
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the El Dorado County business community and its many hospitality-related employees.
The El Dorado County Visitors Authority and the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce are working together to provide accurate and timely information and related resources for business owners and those facing layoffs, reduced hours, and other hardships as a result of COVID-19. Federal and state officials are working on programs and measures to assist those suffering financial impacts from this pandemic.
You can find information on COVID-19 and updates regarding government mandates here.
Local Resources
- Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Free Business Coaching and Webinar Series
- The Sierra SBDC offers free business coaching that can assist businesses in cash flow management, other sources of capital, and applications for disaster funding.
- Sierra SBDC will be releasing webinars from the larger NorCal SBDC regarding disaster funding.
- El Dorado County Health and Human Services COVID-19 update
- Marshall Hospital COVID-19 Update – If you’re experiencing symptoms and need to come to Marshall’s Emergency Room, please help stop the spread of the virus; wait in your car and call 530-626-2717 upon arrival. The ER staff will prepare to receive you with proper precautions.
State Resources
- COVID-19 Top Resources for Employers (CalChamber)
- CA Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) FAQ on COVID-19 for employers
- Rapid Response Services Fact Sheet for businesses facing mass layoffs or closures
National Resources
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program
- CDC, Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- OSHA guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19
- FDA statement about the safety of the food chain (for restaurants and suppliers)
- National Restaurant Association, Coronavirus Information and Resources
- Resilience in a box
- If your business needs help putting a plan in place, use the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s toolkit created in partnership with the UPS Foundation.
- Combating the Coronavirus, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Resources and Guidelines for Businesses
Financial Resources
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: The SBA has begun accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. According to the SBA website (5/4/20), EIDL applications submitted prior to the lapsed in funding authority will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
o New Data on EIDL Loan Activity (April 24, 2020): https://www.sba.gov/document/report–covid-19-eidl-loans-report
o New Data on EIDL Cash Advances (April 24, 2020): https://www.sba.gov/document/report–covid-19-eidl-advance-report
o EIDL Website (5/4/20): https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications
- The US Small Business Administrationis hosting daily calls at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to share information and answer questions regarding Economic Injury Disaster Loans and the Paycheck Protection Program. To join via phone or Zoom, you can sign up for email updates with phone numbers, web links, and other log-in information for any call you would like to join. To receive current information: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USSBA_76
- Ag Loans Available Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: The SBA has begun accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications
- Main Street Lending Program: The Federal Reserve released more details on the Main Street Lending Program. The Main Street Lending Program is designed to assist small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program will operate through three facilities: the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF), the Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF), and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Eligibility of borrowers is limited to businesses who meet one of these two criteria: (1) the business has 15,000 employees or fewer; or (2) the business had 2019 revenues of $5 billion or less. Loans will have a four-year maturity, and principal and interest payments on the loans will be deferred for one year. The Main Street Lending Program can be used to originate new loans (under MSNLF and MSPLF) or increase the size of existing loans (under MSELF). The fact sheets below provide additional and specific information about the MSNLF, MSPLF, and MSELF.
- Term Sheet for the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF): https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/monetary20200430a1.pdf
- Term Sheet for the Main Street Priority Loan Facility (MSPLF): https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/monetary20200430a2.pdf
- Term Sheet for the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF): https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/files/monetary20200430a3.pdf
- Term Sheet for the Main Street Lending Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/main-street-lending-faqs.pdf
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program: An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
- SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters(Live agent to guide you through the process 1-800-659-2955)
- SBA Funding Programs – Capital Access
- Incidents can strain a small business’s financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory, and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Companies should prepare by exploring and testing their capital access options, so they have what they need when they need it.
- IBANK Jump Start Loan Program
- IBank is offering loans from $500 to $10,000 to low-wealth entrepreneurs in the declared disaster and emergency areas through its Jump Start Loan Program.
For Employees Facing Hardships
- CA Labor & Workforce Development Agency – Resources for Employers and Workers
- State of California Employment Development Department (CA EDD)
- SBA Disaster Assistance Loans: SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters(Live agent to guide you through the process 1-800-659-2955)
Hospitality and Food and Beverage Industry-Specific Assistance
Bartenders in need of emergency assistance should contact the USBG National Charity Foundation. Membership is not required to apply.
The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation has opened a fund and resource page for workers impacted by the pandemic.
Hotel employees impacted by COVID-19 are recommended to contact California EDD for assistance.
Heard That Foundation is also dedicated to the advancement and support of hospitality workers in the United States. Please check out their Facebook Page for more information.